Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said, Government would infuse additional equity of 1,200 crore rupees into Air India over the next few months and review its performance to decide on the future course. He, however, said there was no decision to divest government equity in the cash-strapped national carrier at the moment. Talking to PTI on the sidelines of the annual summit of the International Air Transport Association, IATA, in Berlin, Mr Patel said, government, as Air India's owner, last year gave the airline 800 crore rupees as equity. Asked whether government will consider a course correction involving de-merger of Air India and erstwhile Indian Airlines following criticism from several quarters, he said, no such action is under consideration. He said, officials of all airlines attending the IATA Summit have opined that mergers do not happen overnight and it is an ongoing process which has to be achieved over time adding that Air France-KLM have taken six years. On strengthening of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Mr Patel said government is considering granting it full autonomy and support the regulator in its functioning. He said the question of separating the regulator and an investigator of accidents was also being considered.
News On AIR | June 11, 2010 12:25 PM
Govt to infuse additional equity of Rs 1,200 cr into Air India